How To Make The Most Of Shore Excursions: Viking Cruises Danube Waltz

 Because I’m a curious person, I want to know everything about a destination and I will keep going back until I’m satisfied that I have a deep understanding of the culture. This is why I like traveling with Viking Cruises. Known as the cruise line for the “thinking person,” it follows that every aspect of a Viking Cruise, from the unique cultural immersion programs, shore excursions, elegantly designed Longships, entertainment, and food and beverage program , will satisfy your curiosity and immerse you in the culture.

Since the shore excursions are such and important component of a cruise, I’ve written a guide for all the things to consider for a great trip and to make the most of shore excursions. I also included information about each port. 

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Optional shore excursions Danube Waltz 

Viking offers classic and iconic tours with local guides at every port–some are optional, and some are included. Every shore excursion is listed in your cruise documents and on the Viking website.  I take all of the included tours because Viking only books guides who are experts on their chosen destination.

Optional excursions are designed to give you further opportunities to dive deeper into the culture. In Budapest, you could visit the iconic Széchenyi Bathhouse for a slice of local life, or learn to make Hungarian pancakes and tour the Grand Market. There is an additional charge for optional shore excursions. 

What Makes The Danube Waltz Shore Excursions Special? 

Viking is known for their well organized tours and excellent guides. The approach is maybe a bit academic but never boring, as each guide shares their personality, humor, and tips for the local area.

Another example is the exclusive offerings that are unique to Viking. On of the excursions offered on the Danube Waltz itinerary was a visit to Gottweig Abbey with spectacular views over the Wachau Valley. Viking guests have the opportunity to tour the 900-year-old abbey, view a short film about life at the abbey, and admire the extensive art collection.

We also enjoyed a taste of sparkling apricot wine made by the Benedictine monks who live and work at the abbey. Viking is the only cruise line with access to Gottweig Abbey. This is one example of Viking’s privileged access tours. 

Cultural programs 

Participating in the cultural programs offered onboard is another way to enrich your experience– and some of my most memorable moments were on the ship. At least two of our seven nights included live music performed by expert guest musicians. One night we were entertained by a classical opera singer and another night the Bratislava Men’s Choir.

Before arriving in Vienna we enjoyed a musical evening that included our Program Director (a classical violinist) playing the violin for us, as well as learning about the classical music inheritance Vienna gave the world.  We also received the 411 on Vienna’s world-renowned coffee houses. 

Even though I’m a very independent traveler, I quickly came to appreciate the preparation and expertise provided…I could simply enjoy the immersion in the history and culture of each port.

 Make the most of Shore Excursions on the Danube

Important Tip: Your Viking Cruise Documents

Shortly after confirming your booking, you’ll receive your cruise documents in the mail. Everything you need to know about arrival, departure, currency, the cruise ship, the ports, food and beverage, tipping, baggage, and Viking’s commitment to you is within the pages of your cruise documents. Read it. It is for your convenience.

Online information 

You will find a wealth of information in the portal My Viking Journey, such as suggestions for films and mini-language lessons related to your itinerary. Everything is designed to enhance your trip. I read two historical books about Vienna from the suggested reading list. I have always found that having some historical context makes any experience more enjoyable and deepens my understanding.  The website also has extensive details about your Viking longship. 

Consider your interests and fitness level 

To make the most of the shore excursions offered, consider your interests and your level of fitness.

For example, some tours involve steep walks or bicycling. If for some reason you are unable to walk up a steep hill or steps, don’t go on that tour. The level of difficulty is indicated in the description of the tour. If you don’t like dancing, then you shouldn’t take a waltz lesson in Vienna.

Our tour director jokingly referred to traveling with Viking as bootcamp and that is somewhat true. Most tours begin early morning and leave by 8:00 am. If having free time on your own is more important, you can do that. You are under no obligation to take any tours.

Preparation is key to a great day

You’ll want to get up early enough to have breakfast.  Most tours last one and a half or two hours unless it’s a destination like Gottweig Abbey or Cesky Krumlov, which are half-day trips. You won’t have a chance to eat again until the end of the tour. Of course, you can tuck something into your day bag if you need a snack before lunch.

Audio devices

Every room onboard the ship has a set of audio devices that you take with you on tours (one per person). They allow you to hear the tour guide even if you’re in the back of the group. Make sure your device(s) are charged and ready to go each morning.  I forgot mine once and yes, there was a spare, but don’t count on this.

The best practice is to put it back on the charger first thing when you return to the ship.  

Port talks, Viking’s 411

Before dinner each day there is a gathering in the lounge for a port talk with the Program Director. You’ll want to attend these talks. Aside from being informative, they’re fun. Have a drink, sit next to someone new, strike up a conversation, and make dinner plans. In addition, you’ll usually hear from the Chef about menu specialties for the evening. There is always a regional menu, as well as classic menu that does not change from day to day. 

Each evening, you will find a Viking Daily newsletter in your room with information about the next port city, as well as some fun trivia about the region, food and culture, restaurant suggestions, and other tips. These are great for making note of things you want to be sure not to miss. The Viking Daily was often my evening reading material–I’m geeky that way. 

To recap: Sleep well, wake up early, eat breakfast, and have everything you need for the next day ready to go. And make sure you don’t forget your earbuds and audio device. 

Pro Tip: Always carry the contact information for the boat with you, including the phone number– and make sure your cell phone is charged (carry a spare battery if needed).  I was once separated from the group and my bag was on the bus. But, I had my cell phone in my pocket (because I was taking photos with it) and the card with the number for the boat. I was able to call the boat and explain what happened and where I was. Happily, they didn’t sail without me. 

Viking Danube Waltz: Ports & Shore Excursions

 Budapest to Passau 

Now that all the details are out of the way, let’s check out the ports and shore excursions on Viking’s Danube Waltz cruise. In 2023 & 2024 Conde Nast magazine’s Travelers’ Choice Awards named Viking the “Best Danube River Cruise Operator,” for its small ships, elegant staterooms, regional Austrian and Hungarian cuisine, and expert staff. Now that I’ve done this cruise I would offer my vote as well. I enjoyed my dance along the blue Danube–and my dance card was always full.

 

I joined the Danube Waltz in Budapest– it was apparent right away why it is referred to as the Paris of the East–the lights along the river and bridges are very romantic. And because Viking is given first preference in Budapest, your ship will be docked within a short walk of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting the two parts of the city. It is easily one of the most beautiful bridges crossing the Danube.

The Panoramic Budapest tour takes you by bus around Pest, then up Buda Castle Hill to visit Matthias Church (named for King Matthias) and the Fisherman’s Bastion. The views are spectacular, so be sure you have your camera or phone ready for action. 

Budapest is intriguing because it is two cities divided by the river; on the west side is Buda and on the east side, Pest. Pest is a treasure of art nouveau and 19th-century architecture with a wonderful market, great restaurants, and shopping. More recent historical monuments, like Hero’s Square, can be seen on the Pest side.  Andrassy Avenue, the main drag, is called the Champs Elysee of the East. It’s lined with gorgeous architecture, museums and galleries, and some good shops, too. 

Buda Castle Hill, the Parliament building, the iconic Chain Bridge, and the banks of the Danube have all received UNESCO World Heritage designation. 

Bratislava 

The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava is the only capital that borders two countries, Hungary and Austria.  In its heyday, Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria, spent quite a lot of time there, as it was part of the Hungarian Empire.  

The charming historic center is an inviting place to spend a day or two.  I would say Bratislava is emerging as one of the more interesting cities along the Danube. Despite being small for a capital city (population around 450,000), there is good shopping and fun pubs, and I spotted what looked like a nice wine bar. After your Bratislava Panoramic tour, shop for something special to take home. I brought home a music box with The Kiss, a painting by Gustav Klimt, on the cover. Some people think mementos like that are cheesey, but I loved the music it plays.

The included excursion in Bratislava is either a walking tour or a drive/walk. The drive will take you up the hill to Bratislava Castle, the former home of the Hungarian crown jewels. Both tours include a walk through the charming old town along the Amber Road, once a trade route linking Northern and Southern Europe. You’ll also see St. Martins’ Cathedral, which was the coronation church for ten kings, and where Maria Theresa was crowned Queen of Hungary in 1741.

Vienna excursions

Oh, Vienna! With so much beauty and culture on offer, how can anyone make a choice when it comes to excursions? In addition to the included city tour, six optional shore excursions are offered–from the Imperial Vienna tour to a classical music concert. I took the included tour, then spent the day walking the streets of Vienna before returning to the ship for the optional Heurigen evening excursion. For a great time filled with music, food, and wine I highly recommend it.

The included tour, Panoramic Vienna, is a city tour that covers the highlights of the historic center, protected by UNESCO. The tour includes the exterior of the Hofburg Palace. A walk past the stables of the Lipizzaner Stallions (they are not always there).  An excavation of Roman ruins can be seen outside the palace, and the magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral. 

No matter what you do in Vienna, you’ll want to take some time for that most Viennese of traditions, coffee. Did you know that Viennese coffee culture is classified as an intangible cultural heritage and recognized by UNESCO? I managed to try three different places: Demel, Cafe Eiles, and Cafe Espresso.

What makes Demel special?

Everyone should try Demel, located in the historic center just outside of the Hofburg Palace. Demel served the royal palace and its inhabitants and is one of the oldest coffee houses in Vienna . I had hot chocolate because I knew I would have coffee later; my friends all ordered some sort of special Viennese coffee drink. Everything was served in classical style on a small silver tray with a shot of water on the side. I wish this tradition would make its way stateside.

I quite like this tradition and wish it would make its way stateside.

Known for fantastic pastries and cakes, there’s a kitchen in the back where you can watch them making these sweet creations. 

Optional excursion in Vienna

The Heurigen evening was a highlight of the trip for me. You’re probably wondering what a Heurigen is if you’ve never been to Austria. The Heurigen refers to a seasonal winery only open after harvest, when the winemaker will then sell the new wine. Heurige means from this year.  A Heurigen evening includes not only wine but lots of food too–something that is not traditional but has grown with the times and popularity with tourists.

Heuriger Wolff, one of the oldest winemaking families in Vienna. You’ll see the sign above the entrance says 1609…that’s a long time! There was live traditional music, many toasts, and a feeling of gemutlichkeit, or good cheer, was present. One of the crew members who was along with us for the Heurigen evening said he never missed the opportunity to go. That’s a darn good recommendation. 

Krems and Gottweig Abbey 

Ah, Krems. I woke up and looked out my window to see church steeples piercing a heavy layer of fog.  We may have left the glamour of Vienna behind, but there was more Austrian treasure to discover. Krems and Stein, once two separate towns, are part of the Wachau Valley cultural landscape. Settlement in Krems dates back to the Neolithic era. It was once more important than Vienna for its wine and salt trade. Cobblestone streets and vineyard terraces are the hallmarks of this charming town.  Also, the tour to Gottweig Abbey departs from Krems.

Scenic Sailing through the Wachau Valley

 A highlight of the cruise is scenic sailing through the Wachau Valley. As soon as the ship departs Krems,  have your camera ready!

The Wachau Valley stretches from Krems to Melk and has been a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Considered the prettiest part of the Danube River, the Wachau Valley is known for picturesque castle ruins and terraced vineyards.

Grapes grown in the Wachau Valley

The signature grape is Gruner Veltliner, a white wine grape that produces a wine that is acidic and aromatic, with notes of citrus and pepper. Another important grape from the Wachau is Riesling – usually dry and crisp, though there are late-harvest dessert wines too.

Linz and Cesky Krumlov excursions

The next port,  Linz, had two included excursions: a guided tour of Linz, home of the Linzer torte, and a walking tour of the storybook town of Cesky Krumlov, another Unesco World Heritage Site located in the Czech Republic.

Cesky Krumlov is a full day excursion so you can not choose both. However, you can choose to do whatever you like, perhaps relaxing on the upper deck of the ship. 

Update: Cesky Krumlov is now an optional tour, not an included tour.

Linz

Though heavily bombed in WWII, Linz maintains some lovely architecture and a lot of history. A walking tour reveals the Mozarthaus, where the composer wrote the famous Linz Symphony. 

The Haufplatz, surrounded by shops, cafes, and historic buildings is the main square. There’s a huge Christmas Market here during the holiday season. 

If you want to do something really special in Linz take the train up to Pöstlingberg where you can view Linz from 1700 feet up! As you can see from my photo, I was above the clouds. Aside from the view, you can visit the Basilica of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, established as a pilgrimage church in 1716. 

The train takes only twenty minutes and I bought a ticket from the tourism office. It was 7.50 euros roundtrip. Worth it! 

The tourism office is right across from where you board the train. 

Cesky Krumlov Walking Tour

Transport to Cesky Krumlov is by bus, which allows one to gaze upon the pretty countryside. Our guide regaled us with history and stories of growing up in a communist country, as well as what life is like in the Czech Republic today. I learned a lot! 

Once in Cesky Krumlov, the tour includes the exterior of the upper and lower castle, the town hall, the pharmacy, and the monastery. The castle and most of the buildings in town are covered in the most beautiful frescoes. I marveled at how well restored they are.

 After the tour, we had lunch at a traditional Czech restaurant specializing in regional food, in other words, peasant food for hard-working people. I had the most delicious cabbage soup there thanks to the recommendation of our tour guide. It was so good I’ve prepared it at home several times. 

My only regret was that there wasn’t enough time to visit the castle museums, climb the tower, float down the Vltava River, and eat lunch.  My tip for this trip: if possible, go in the offseason or spend the night. Cesky Krumlov has become very popular and is crawling with tourists, especially around the castle. Once you filter into the town, it’s less congested.  However, if that’s not an option, just go! It’s worth it.

Passau excursions

The final port on this cruise is Passau, Germany. Founded over 2000 years ago at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz, and Danube rivers, Passau is a charming slice of Bavaria. Overlooking the town and the river,  Veste Oberhaus is an old fort, built in 1219.  

 The Passau Walking Tour, the included shore excursion,  is a stroll through the city culminating in an organ concert at St. Stephen’s church. A baroque dream that will surely remind you of Rome and Bernini, St. Stephen’s is home to Europe’s largest pipe organ. It has more than 17,000 pipes. 

I loved Passau! With its winding cobblestone alleyways, and Baroque facades it felt like Italy., without the graffiti. 

An optional tour from Passau was the Neuschwanstein Castle tour. Transportation to Neuschwanstein Castle is by helicopter. Other optional tours from Passau include hiking the Passau hills, Bavaria by bike, and a visit to a Bavarian farm.

Alas, Passau was our port of disembarkation. Not only that, but it was time to say goodbye to Viking and new friends. If you would like to extend your stay, Viking can arrange that for you. Many people extend their time to visit Prague, Munich, or return to Vienna. 

 A Viking cruise guarantees a cultural experience like no other. Armed with all this pre-cruise knowledge, you can make the most of every shore excursion on the Viking Danube Waltz. 

FAQ

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How long is the Viking Danube Waltz cruise?

The Danube Waltz is typically eight days, sailing from Budapest to Passau with stops in Bratislava, Vienna, Krems, and Linz along the way. Scenic sailing through the Wachau Valley is a highlight of this itinerary. 

How many shore excursions are included in the Viking Danube Waltz?

One excursion per port is included in the cruise fare. Optional excursions are available at each port for an additional cost and range from thermal baths and cooking classes in Budapest to a Heurigen wine evening in Vienna, and a helicopter ride to Neuschwanstein Castle from Passau.

Is Viking the only cruise line with access to Gottweig Abbey?

Yes, Viking has exclusive access to Gottweig Abbey, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery above the Wachau Valley. In addition to touring the abbey, the art collection and ceiling frescoes, there’s a short film about monastic life, a tasting of the sparkling apricot wine made by the monks. The views over the Wachau Valley are not bad either. No other cruise line offers this.

What is a Heurigen and is it worth doing?

A Heurigen is a seasonal Austrian winery that opens after harvest to sell its new wine. Viking’s Heurigen evening excursion in Vienna is one of the highlights of the cruise: traditional food, live music, local wine, make a must if you’ve never done it. It’s an experience unique to Vienna. 

Should I choose Cesky Krumlov or Linz?

If you must choose only one Cesky Krumlov is one of Central Europe’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However,  it’s no longer an included tour but an optional excursion with a fee. Linz has interesting museums, history, nice shops and cafes and is worth exploring independently. There’s also the option to take the train up to Postlingberg, a pilgrimage site. Postlingberg is a bit of a hidden gem. 

What should I bring on shore excursions?

Every cabin has an audio device for tours — charge it overnight and never leave without it. Also wear comfortable walking shoes, a small daypack, your cell phone fully charged, and the ship’s contact card in your pocket. Also bring some small bills to tip the guide and driver if you do plan to tip.

Is the Viking Danube Waltz good for solo travelers?

Of course my perspective is that cruises are perfect for solo travelers. On a Viking river cruise the ships carry 190 passengers which means you can actually get to know people rather quickly. Daily port talks and included excursions provide natural opportunities to connect. I travel solo and always have company when I want it. If. you’re an introvert this is probably not for you.

What is the best excursion in Vienna?

This depends if you have been to Vienna before. If so you could spend a day on your own. If not, I recommend the included Panoramic Vienna tour which covers the historic center beautifully. Afterwards you can visit a Viennese coffee house on your own which is an obvious must do in Vienna. I also loved the Schönbronn Palace tour. If you love classical music you will want to book one of the musical experiences that are generally booked for the evening.

Can I explore ports independently without joining excursions?

Absolutely — you are under no obligation to take any tours. Each port talk gives you enough information to plan your own day. That said, Viking’s guides are genuine experts and the included excursions represent excellent value.

 

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On my second river cruise  I was blown away by the grand cities and inspiring shore excursions on  Viking Danube cruise.  I was a guest of Viking Cruises. All opinions are my own.